Commercialized a sulfur-free EMC for copper wires and the mass production will start in October 2016. It helps to improve the reliability of the semiconductor packages at high temperatures.

Osaka, Japan - Panasonic Corporation announced today that it has commercialized the first sulfur-free encapsulation molding compound (EMC) for copper wire bonding in the industry, and will start mass production of the product in October 2016. This material helps improve the reliability and extend the service life of semiconductor packages during operation at high temperatures.

Copper bonding wires have increasingly been used in semiconductor packages because copper is characterized by high joint reliability in high temperature environments, and has a stable market price compared to gold. In conventional EMCs for copper wires, sulfur components are added to ensure adhesion to lead frames in semiconductor packages in the presence of moisture absorption/reflow, etc. Notably, pyrolysis product of sulfur components can cause connection failure of copper wires at high temperatures. We have commercialized the first sulfur-free EMC in the industry. Proprietary technologies were developed to solve problems that were previously difficult to cope with, namely, preventing corrosion of copper wires and increasing adhesion to lead frames without the addition of sulfur components. This has resulted in improved reflow resistance properties and a long service life (3,000 hours at 175°C). The material will help increase the use of copper wires in semiconductor packages for in-vehicle and industrial applications.

Panasonic Corporation issued this content on 03 March 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 10 March 2016 10:44:35 UTC

Original Document: http://news.panasonic.com/global/press/data/2016/03/en160303-3/en160303-3.html